Top 10: Nicknames In Showbiz

Number 7

"The King of Pop"

Michael Jackson

After Michael Jackson left the Jackson Five, his fame as a solo artist shot through the stratosphere. Jackson introduced a sound that was totally new and rad; he was able to mix rock, pop and soul in hits like "Thriller," "Billy Jean" and "Bad." His wicked and choice dance moves contributed to making him a bona fide sensation throughout the world.

Although many think that he gave himself the nickname, apparently it was his friend Elizabeth Taylor who crowned him as "The King of Pop" in the early '80s when she introduced him at a function. This nickname was made even more famous upon the release of his "Black or White" video. That year, in 1991, Jackson allegedly only allowed MTV to broadcast the video — after its premier on FOX, MTV and BET — on the condition that they referred to him as "The King of Pop." But given his impressive recording career (at least in the '80s and early '90s), the nickname is well deserved.

Number 6

"The Boss"

Bruce Springsteen

Ever since Bruce Springsteen got a record deal in the early 1970s, people have been hailing him as the person responsible for breathing new life into rock 'n' roll. For a time, his record company was even calling him the new Bob Dylan. With magnificent record sales and sold-out concerts, thanks to songs like "Born in the U.S.A.," "Born To Run" and "Glory Days," it's obvious that Springsteen is much more than the next Dylan.

Decades before he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame — before he became a household name, in fact — Springsteen toured small venues with his backing band. In those days, as the frontman, he was responsible for collecting the money and paying the band members at the end of each week. For this reason, they called him "The Boss." Nowadays, as his fans know, he's the boss of much more.

Number 5

"The Godfather of Soul"

James Brown

James Brown came into music after serving a three-year sentence for armed robbery as a teenager. A charismatic and flamboyant performer, he became known as "Mr. Dynamite" and "Soul Brother Number One" thanks to the success of songs like "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" and "I Got You (I Feel Good)."

His success and status as a symbolic figure for the civil rights movement boosted his ego to the point that he started calling himself "The Minister of New New Super Heavy Funk" and "The Hardest Working Man in Show Business." Nevertheless, it's his self-proclaimed title as "The Godfather of Soul" that people will remember for years to come.

The Rat Pack and The King made their marks are nicknames for some of the most talented men of the 20th century...